SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Southwest Colorado
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Southwest Colorado, CO comes to $123,490 a year, ahead of the national median of $104,110 by 18.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Southwest Colorado, CO comes to $123,490 a year, ahead of the national median of $104,110 by 18.6%. Pay ranges from under $69,990 at the tenth percentile to more than $132,480 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $69,990 to $132,480.
Within the state, Denver records the highest median at $128,180. Of the 348 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 24th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $69,990 | −32.8% |
| 25th | $69,990 | −32.8% |
| Median (50th) | $123,490 | +18.6% |
| 75th | $132,480 | +27.3% |
| 90th | $132,480 | +27.3% |
| Mean | $108,600 | +4.3% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver | $128,180 | 4,530 | |
| 2 | Boulder | $124,360 | 1,130 | |
| 3 | Colorado Springs | $109,370 | 500 | |
| 4 | Greeley | $108,500 | 150 | |
| 5 | Pueblo | $105,580 | 70 | |
| 6 | Grand Junction | $105,210 | 90 | |
| 7 | Fort Collins | $102,820 | 450 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $123,490 buys what $119,777 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 15.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$123,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$119,777US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $123,490 a year, 18.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $69,990 to $132,480 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Denver, at $128,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Southwest Colorado, CO?
The median annual wage is $123,490, or $59.37 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $104,110, so pay in Southwest Colorado, CO is 18.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southwest Colorado, CO earns more than $132,480 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $69,990 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Denver, at $128,180 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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